Update 6pm: Eleven crew members have been evacuated after the Saga Sky cargo ship took on water off the English coast today.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

A consultant in emergency medicine “wholeheartedly” supports a call for mandatory prison sentences for those convicted of assaulting frontline staff following an incident in his own hospital where a nurse suffered a fractured kneecap.

A look ahead to all the weekend’s action around Cork...

Cork’s progression to the All-Ireland U21 final, on Saturday, April 30, looks set to disrupt local football championship fixtures.

Laois maintained Division 1B status, while Roscommon and Tyrone will play in Division 2B and 3A respectively in 2017, after today’s Allianz Hurling League Playoffs.

A 5-16 to 1-11 win for London, over Carlow, was the big story in Division 2A of the Allianz hurling league yesterday.

A new RTÉ documentary will focus on the unsung hero doctors who save lives in their spare time by bringing pre-hospital emergency care to roadside crashes and emergencies.

Two men who admitted their parts in a cowardly and nasty attack on a man in West Cork, who was kicked on the ground and left so seriously injured that he lost his spleen, yesterday got suspended jail terms.

Castlehaven 1-14 St Finbarr’s 1-10 (Cork SFC Round 4): Castlehaven returned to the scene of last year’s championship humiliation but, looking renewed and refocused, the west Cork men displayed their innate hunger for battle to overcome a gutsy St. Finbarr’s in an entertaining Cork SFC clash on Saturday.

Kerry strode to a 1-20 to 0-12 victory over Derry in the Christy Ring Cup final, lifting their second title and avoiding a third successive defeat in the Croke Park decider.

Kildare found themselves away from home and eight points down for the second Saturday in a row at Trim two days ago, but yet again the Christy Ring Cup champions dug themselves out of a hole to record a 3-23 to 2-18 win over Meath and set up a semi-final meeting with Kerry at Newbridge on Saturday.

Bishopstown 0-11 St Finbarr’s 0-9

Former Connacht rugby star Gavin Duffy made his championship debut for Salthill/Knocknacarra as two Sean Armstrong goals helped last year’s finalists into the third round of the Galway SFC.

Allianz HL Div 2B, 3A and 3B

St Finbarr’s 1-13 Brian Dillons 1-10

Derry, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow advanced to the Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup semi-finals following today’s action.

Galway football manager Alan Mulholland received another boost as both Padraic Joyce and Michael Meehan showed great form and kicked their clubs into the third round of the county SFC.

Clonakilty CC will wake up this morning wondering how on earth they contrived to lose this Munster Vocational Schools’ JAFC final played in perfect conditions at Kilmurry yesterday after they coughed up a six-point half-time advantage to lose by two.

THE man who died after suffering a seizure during a garda drugs raid had no heartbeat when paramedics arrived at the scene.

THE strange and unpredictable nature of U-21 football was manifestly evident again in Ennis on Saturday night.

ONE of Ireland’s leading paediatricians has called for an outright European ban on baby walkers, which are used by thousands of Irish parents in the belief they are a safe place to keep babies entertained and help them learn to walk.

ST FINBARRS’ strong grip on minor football affairs in Cork continues after they swept to victory over Douglas in the Cork PMFC (1) final replay in CIT yesterday.

GRAHAM CANTY inspired Bantry to a fine 0-11 to 2-4 win over Nemo Rangers in the County Division Three Football League final at Balineen on Saturday.

A WOMAN who was rescued from a fire which claimed the life of her life-long friend survived a previous house fire.

Kevin Doyle has pledged his future to Cork City ahead of tonight’s clash with UCD at Turner’s Cross.

Bray Wanderers will be out to continue their strong start to the season, and gain revenge, when they face UCD at the Carlisle Grounds.

Longford Town 2 Athlone Town 2

Athlone Town face injury worries and suspensions going into Friday's clash with Monaghan United at St Mel's Park (7.45pm).

Athlone expect Adrian Murphy and Robert Shine to return to action for the club tomorrow evening against Galway United.

First Division side Athlone Town could be missing up to three players for the visit of eircom League First Division leaders Finn Harps to St Mel's Park tomorrow.

Athlone Town take on current FAI Cup holders and last season's beaten League Cup finalists, Longford Town, tonight in Saint Mel's Park, Athlone in a crucial eircom League Cup tie.

Athlone Town has announced the signing of Adrian Murphy from Longford Town.

Athlone Town Football Club has signed Adrian Murphy from Longford Town.

St Mel’s, Longford 2-14 St Pat’s, Navan 0-17

Shamrock Rovers 3 Longford Town 2